Bill would list family violence offenders in public database

A bill that would require repeat family violence offenders to register on an online database, similar to the Texas Department of Public Safety’s list of sex offenders, passed on second reading in the Texas House Tuesday.

HB 21, authored by Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, is awaiting a third and final vote. Triggered by a domestic violence homicide in San Antonio several years ago, the bill would require that those convicted thrice of a family violence offense be included on a Texas DPS database.

“If I know there is a home that has issues concerning domestic violence or child abuse, it will certainly guide my decision on whether or not my child should go over there and play, or whether I want my family to spend time with their family,” he said. “I’m looking at these instances from the lens of a parent. I have kids in diapers, and pretty soon they’ll be going to sleepovers. I want the ability to assess situations.”

Martinez Fischer said his intended target isn’t the parent who loses his or her temper and takes it out on his or her child, but instead a person who repeatedly abuses children or other relatives. Added in an amendment on Tuesday was a stipulation that the database would also contain information on resources, agencies and nonprofits that address domestic violence in hopes of curbing the crimes.

“We don’t just want it to be a list that’s sort of a shame list of people who have these sorts of issues, but also provides a pathway for people who are dealing with this,” Martinez Fischer said.

He added that in an effort to protect the victims of these crimes, the offenders’ addresses will not be included in the database.